Chapter 482: The Marquis Returns Home

The car slowly drove out of the Beixin Pavilion.

Li Lei opened the car window and lit a cigarette.

The smoke drifted out from the window, caught by the wind, and trailed backward, drawing out a long tail.

Inside the car, Li Lei recalled the words He Wenxin had just spoken and had to admit that he was actually quite tempted.

He knew that as long as he was willing to open his mouth, his future career would be smooth sailing, and he might even reach an unprecedented height!

Ruling a province might be too far off, but ruling a prefecture was definitely a visible future!

But Li Lei also knew that no matter how objectively he relayed the message, as long as he opened this topic to Li Fei, Li Fei would inevitably be influenced by him.

Otherwise, why would the other party go to such great lengths to have him relay a message to Li Fei?

If it were a negotiation of terms, they could have just gone to talk directly.

It was all to play the emotional card!

"Hoo—"

Li Lei exhaled a long breath, already mentally prepared to face the "sugar-coated bullets" ahead.

If the other party wanted to play the emotional card with Li Fei, they would definitely play it with him first.

His nephew Feng Feng Chenfeng was just the prelude.

Li Lei knew a thing or two about the grudges Li Fei had incurred.

He knew that standing behind the capital of Feng Province was the Lu family, one of the "Ten Great Clans."

A family that had existed longer than the Great Lan Dynasty must possess a foundation and means beyond his imagination!

He didn't know if he could withstand it; he could only try his best not to influence Li Fei.

Twenty minutes later, Li Lei returned to the guesthouse in Datong Prefecture.

Just as he sat down, an attendant ran over to tell him:

"Lord Li, your wife called you an hour ago. She asked you to remember to call her back when you returned."

Hearing this, Li Lei had a bad premonition.

After dismissing the attendant, he picked up the phone in the room, dialed the rotary, and called home.

Soon, the call was connected, and Zhang Zhang Yuqing's voice came from the other end:

"Hello, who is this?"

"Wife, it's me."

"Old Li? Did you just get back from your social engagement?"

"Yes."

"You must be exhausted. Remember to take the medicine I prepared for you. You're not young anymore; you need to know how to take care of yourself."

"."

Listening to his wife's gentle voice on the other end, Li Lei felt much of the fatigue in his heart swept away.

"You called me specifically, is there something wrong?"

After chatting for a while, Li Lei finally asked.

". Hmm."

On the other end, Zhang Zhang Yuqing hesitated for a moment before saying:

"Mom and Dad came to the house to find me today."

Li Lei frowned slightly. His father-in-law had also been in the Xingcheng Supervisory Academy decades ago, serving as a small squad leader.

Back then, the other party hadn't looked down on him for being a poor kid and had agreed to marry his daughter to him.

After he returned from military service, his father-in-law even helped him pull strings so he could smoothly enter the Supervisory Academy.

Later, when Li Lei was promoted to squadron leader, his father-in-law's connections had also provided a certain amount of help.

When he and Zhang Zhang Yuqing had just gotten married, his mother-in-law had also helped the young couple a lot and never looked down on him for having no money.

Therefore, Li Lei had always felt grateful toward his wife's family.

"Is there something wrong with Mom and Dad?"

Li Lei asked.

Zhang Zhang Yuqing: "Mom and Dad heard from somewhere about what Xiao Fei is doing, so they kept urging me to persuade Xiao Fei to be forgiving when he can, saying there's no need to kill them all or force people into a dead end."

Li Lei felt a bit helpless: "The level Xiao Fei is at now is so high; how could Mom and Dad understand the struggles he's involved in?"

Zhang Zhang Yuqing said softly: "I understand that principle, and I already persuaded Mom and Dad to go back. But some of the things they said, I think, still make some sense."

"Zhang Yuqing..."

"Old Li, let me finish first."

"Okay."

"Mom and Dad, and I, indeed don't understand the high-level struggles Xiao Fei is involved in now. But I know the enemy Xiao Fei is dealing with is a great family that has existed for over six hundred years. A family that can exist for so long must have its own way of surviving. If they really tear off the mask completely, and the others decide to go down with him, Xiao Fei might be fine, but what about Sister Tianyu? Sister Tianyu isn't as powerful as Xiao Fei!"

"."

Li Lei fell silent.

"Old Li, I'm not saying I don't support Xiao Fei in seeking revenge, nor do I want to hold him back. I just feel that if possible, is it necessary to drive people to extinction? I... I just hope he and Sister Tianyu can both be safe."

"."

Li Lei held the receiver and was silent for a while, finally saying in a somewhat hoarse voice:

"I know. Don't worry, I will talk to Xiao Fei."

Putting down the receiver, Li Lei had to sigh that the Lu family's methods were indeed powerful.

Toward him, it was all sorts of enticements.

Toward Zhang Zhang Yuqing, it was pointing out the stakes, making her worry about the potential consequences.

And what Zhang Zhang Yuqing said was indeed reasonable. If they really pushed the Lu family to the edge, even if they couldn't hurt Li Fei, what about the others?

He believed Li Fei would definitely do his best to protect himself, Zhang Zhang Yuqing, and Li Sister Tianyu.

But what if?

Even if Li Fei could really protect them, what about his sister, his nephew's family, his parents-in-law's family... what if something happened to these people?

He had deep feelings for these people, but Li Fei might not. After all, the only ones who raised Li Fei were him and Zhang Zhang Yuqing.

That night, Li Lei smoked one cigarette after another in his room until dawn.

The next day, just as Li Lei was hesitating whether to call Li Fei, Li Fei took the initiative to call him.

"Uncle Li."

"Xiao Fei?"

"It's me. I plan to return to Xingcheng next month to spend the New Year with you and Aunt Zhang."

"Haha, that's great. Your Aunt Zhang and I will be waiting for you to come home."

"How have you been lately, Uncle Li?"

"I'm doing great. Thanks to you, I'm now the Chief of Xingcheng, hahaha."

"That's because you have the ability, Uncle Li; it has nothing to do with me."

"Hahaha, you, stop flattering me. How is Sister Tianyu? That child doesn't even know how to call home."

"Sister is doing well too. She's an officer in the Northern Territory."

"."

The two chatted about family matters for a while.

"Uncle Li, has anyone come to talk to you about the Lu family recently?"

Li Fei suddenly asked proactively.

Li Lei was stunned, then relaxed: "You already know?"

"Yes, I just got the news. Did they make things difficult for you and Aunt Zhang?"

"It's not really difficult, I just didn't want to affect your judgment. At your current level, I can't help much, so I'll just try my best not to drag you down."

"Uncle Li, no matter what level I reach in the future, you and Aunt Zhang will always be like my parents! That will never change! So don't talk about dragging me down; you are my motivation to move forward, not a burden."

Li Fei said earnestly.

These words warmed Li Lei's heart, and he felt relieved.

"Uncle Li, don't worry. I will talk to the Lu family myself."

"Good, as long as you have a plan in mind."

Li Lei didn't mention his worries from last night; he believed Li Fei would handle things well.

The two chatted a few more sentences before hanging up.

In the study, after Li Fei put down the receiver, he called the Marquis Mansion's butler in.

"Marquis, what are your orders?"

"Among the visiting cards submitted earlier, were there any from the Lu family?"

"Yes, it was a visiting card sent by Earl Wu Xuan, Lu Lu Wenyao."

"Lu Lu Wenyao."

Li Fei muttered the name.

Lu Lu Wenyao was the cousin of the Lu family's current head, Lu Lu Wenzheng.

Among the direct descendants of the previous generation of the Lu family, Lu Lu Wenyao had always been the one with the highest talent for martial arts.

The Lu family also had high hopes for him, sending him into the military for tempering and focusing on his cultivation.

After the Northern Territory war broke out, Lu Lu Wenyao led troops in battle in the Northern Territory border army.

In the first major battle, this 59-year-old "old general" successfully broke through his realm, became a Martial Arts Master, and beheaded the enemy commander!

Afterward, the Son of Heaven enfeoffed Lu Lu Wenyao as Earl Wu Xuan.

Later, when the Northern Territory army invaded the wilderness, Lu Lu Wenyao was also among the army, fighting alongside Prince Cheng, and once again performed meritorious service.

Relying on the Lu family's maneuvering, Lu Lu Wenyao was expected to be enfeoffed as a Marquis if he could perform more meritorious service.

By then, the Lu family would have two Marquises and three Earls!

Among them, Lu Lu Wenzheng's Marquis title was hereditary and perpetual, sharing glory with the nation!

Before Li Fei returned to Lanling City, Lu Lu Wenyao had already returned to the capital and did not intend to return to the Northern Territory for the time being.

After Li Fei became a "Gu Ming Minister," Lu Lu Wenyao quickly sent a visiting card, but Li Fei had been ignoring him.

"Reply to Lu Lu Wenyao and arrange for him to come to the mansion this afternoon for a talk."

Li Fei said.

"Yes."

The butler withdrew.

In November, Lanling City began to snow again, and Earl Wu Xuan Lu Lu Wenyao braved the snow to arrive at the Jing'an Marquis Mansion.

The 59-year-old Lu Lu Wenyao looked only in his early thirties because he broke through to become a Dao Foundation martial artist at thirty, and every time he incorporated an implant afterward, his lifespan increased by ten years, so his appearance hadn't changed much.

His brows were always filled with a sense of high spirits, making people feel he was a very confident person.

Today, he wore a black outer robe embroidered with gold python patterns, stepped on cloud-patterned black shoes, and hung a waist plaque symbolizing his Earl title at his waist, walking into the Jing'an Marquis Mansion with large strides.

Led by the butler, Lu Lu Wenyao walked into the guest hall.

Inside the hall, Li Fei, dressed in gold, sat there quietly.

"Greetings, Marquis Jing'an!"

Lu Lu Wenyao took the initiative to cup his hands in salute.

"Please sit."

Li Fei did not stand up to greet the guest, only saying indifferently.

Lu Lu Wenyao's expression changed slightly, and he sat opposite Li Fei.

After the servant served tea to Lu Lu Wenyao, Li Fei raised his teacup to signal:

"Drink tea."

"Haha, good."

Lu Lu Wenyao picked up the teacup, took a sip, and silently observed the young man opposite him.

The hall fell silent again.

After waiting for a few minutes, seeing that Li Fei had no intention of speaking, Lu Lu Wenyao raised his eyebrows and said:

"I wonder why Marquis Jing'an invited me here today?"

Li Fei glanced at him: "You were the one who wanted to visit me; you should be the one telling me what you want to talk about."

Lu Lu Wenyao's expression stiffened, then he forced a smile:

"There are indeed some things I'd like to discuss with the Marquis."

"Hmm."

"Then I'll be direct. Regarding that case back then, to what extent does the Marquis want to take it?"

"Reopen the case, clear the names of my Master and Mistress, and all involved personnel must be dealt with."

Li Fei said bluntly.

Lu Lu Wenyao looked at him: "Just that?"

Li Fei met his gaze and said calmly:

"Also, the person behind the scenes must pay the price."

"The person behind the scenes... who would that be?"

Lu Lu Wenyao stared fixedly at Li Fei.

"Lu Lu Wenzheng."

Li Fei still calmly said the name, as if he were saying John Doe.

Lu Lu Wenyao narrowed his eyes, subconsciously clenching his fists:

"Does the Marquis know that he is the head of my Lu family?"

"Change the family head, and he won't be anymore."

Li Fei's words made Lu Lu Wenyao's heart jump.

It was too direct, and too brutal!

Lu Lu Wenyao pursed his lips: "The Marquis is joking."

Li Fei was blunt: "I called you here not to joke with you. If you think I'm joking, you can leave now."

"."

Lu Lu Wenyao clenched his fists.

He really had never been scolded like this by a junior so much younger than him in his entire life!

But he had no qualification to be tough in front of Li Fei.

The things he was proud of were nothing compared to Li Fei!

In terms of title, he was an Earl, and Li Fei was a Marquis, and a hereditary one at that.

In terms of official position, he was currently only a Level 15 Martial General, while Li Fei was a Level 16 Cabinet Official.

In terms of power, the troops he controlled couldn't compare to the Killing Barbarian Army, which possessed over three thousand Imperial Camp soldiers.

In terms of martial power, he had just become a single-ability Martial Arts Master, while Li Fei had already beheaded five Martial Arts Masters in the Northern Barbarian lands...

The only thing he was stronger than Li Fei in was his family background.

But facing Li Fei, who was already a "Gu Ming Minister," the entire Lu family now only had the family head Lu Lu Wenzheng qualified to talk to Li Fei on equal terms.

And Li Fei just said he wanted to let the Lu family change a family head...

"We are actually very sincere and willing to offer enough compensation. Whether it's cultivation resources or official resources, as long as you speak, we can talk! Our Lu family can even fully support your foster father Li Lei, helping him first become the Garrison Commander of a prefecture, and then compete for the position of Inspector in the future. That way, he will also be a great help to you!"

"And your sister, we..."

"That's enough."

Li Fei interrupted Lu Lu Wenyao, "Lu Lu Wenzheng must die; there's no room for negotiation on this."

Lu Lu Wenyao gritted his teeth, stern and severe: "The case of Shangguan Xiao alone cannot convict the family head. Do you dare to kill an Inspector for no reason? Kill a high-ranking official of the frontier?!"

Li Fei smiled: "So, your Lu family is determined to fight me to the end? Are you sure?"

"."

Lu Lu Wenyao fell silent; he didn't dare to take this bait.

This was actually the crux of the problem, and why the Lu family had to take the initiative to soften their stance—

Li Fei could afford to wait, but the Lu family couldn't!

If the First Prince won the succession battle, the Lu family wouldn't need to worry about anything, because Li Fei wouldn't have the chance to grow and would definitely be liquidated.

But now, the Crown Prince was supervising the state, and Li Fei had become a "Gu Ming Minister."

So the Lu family didn't dare to wait any longer.

"I said just now, change someone to be the family head. Lu Lu Wenzheng is not impossible to sacrifice; for example, you could be the family head."

Li Fei said lightly while drinking tea.

Lu Lu Wenyao's eyes flickered.

Li Fei choosing this person to come to the mansion to talk to him wasn't a random choice.

He had carefully studied the internal situation of the Lu family. Among the other branches, besides the family head's line represented by Lu Lu Wenzheng, Lu Lu Wenyao's branch was currently the strongest.

And Lu Lu Wenyao had already broken through to become a Martial Arts Master, with a lifespan far longer than Lu Lu Wenzheng's.

That is to say, once Lu Lu Wenzheng died, Lu Lu Wenyao was definitely one of the most likely to get the position of family head!

So when Li Fei said the words "for example, you could be the family head," Lu Lu Wenyao's reaction was very obvious.

He definitely had thoughts about the position of family head, and before Li Fei pointed it out today, he must have thought about this matter!

Li Fei looked at him, put down the teacup in his hand, and said indifferently:

"Let's put our cards on the table. I want Lu Lu Wenzheng and those who participated in designing the frame-up of my Master and Mistress to die, but I don't necessarily have to fight your Lu family to the end. For example, I can support you in becoming the Lu family head."

Lu Lu Wenyao's expression finally changed, unable to remain calm.

"With Li Fei's current power and influence, if he supports me in becoming the family head..."

Lu Lu Wenyao's heartbeat began to accelerate.

This was indeed the most favorable plan for himself—no, the most favorable plan for the entire Lu family!

Lu Lu Wenyao was also a man of battle and slaughter, and he quickly made a decision.

He looked into Li Fei's eyes: "I agree to this matter on behalf of the Lu family!"

Li Fei smiled slightly, picked up the teacup, and signaled to Lu Lu Wenyao:

"Earl Wu Xuan, please."

"Marquis, please!"

In the midst of conversation, the fate of one of the "Ten Great Clans," the current head of the Lu family, was decided just like that.

Outside the hall, the sunlight sprinkled like gold leaf in the courtyard, shining on the old tree with twisted branches in the yard.

After the deep winter, it would soon be full of new green.

Seeking monthly votes.

(End of chapter)